Pipe holder or puller



M. B'. PHELPS PIPE HOLDER OR FULLER Filed March 13, 1950 2 INVENTOR. Mezw'nariwgm ATTOR/VFKS Patented Sept. 1, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to grapples for cylindrical objects, and is particularly adapted to use in raising pipe from, or lowering it into, a well.

Grapples of the clevis type having a bridge member joining the arms of the clevis are known. These usually take the form of a substantially U-shaped member for encircling the pipe to be handled, and a pin or other member, extending across the arms of the U to close the open end of the clevis. The grapples are but slightly larger than the pipe, and a slight tilt causes them to grip the pipe. The point of attachment of the hoisting cable is beyond the pipe-enclosing portion of the grapple and at a point mid-way between the arms of the U-shaped member. Thus,

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of one embodiment of the invention, when taken in connection with the drawings which accompany, and form a part of, this specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a section of well pipe with a grapple embodying the principles of the present invention shown in gripping position thereon;

Fig. 2 shows the grapple in the same position, but the view is taken looking at the grapple from r the rear;

when the hoist is lifted, the grapple tilts and the pipe is gripped between the bottom edge at the rear of the U-member and the arm-bridging element. If the point of attachment of the hoist is at the rear of the clevis, as is sometimes the case, the tilt is in an opposite direction. In either event, the grapple tilts about a transverse axis only, and it has been found necessary to rely upon sharp biting edges on the clevis or bridge member, or both, to secure a grip which will hold.

Reliance upon sharp edges has many disadvantages. If the edges are not maintained sufilciently sharp to bite into the pipe, the pipe will slip with the attendant dangers of injury to the workmen and loss of valuable equipment into the well. Such biting into the pipe mars its surface and the scuffed pipe is subject to corrosion.

It has been found further that grapples of this type must fit fairly close about the pipe when in released position if the device is to grip when tilted. This prevents free movement of the grapple along the pipe when-a fresh grip is to be taken, and also causes the grapple to rotate with the pipe when one pipe section is being coupled or uncoupled from an adjoining section, thus creating the exasperating condition of twisted and tangled hoist ropes.

The present invention seeks to eliminate these difficulties by proviidng a grapple of the clevis type which will positively grip a pipe, or other cylindrical member, without the aid of sharp edges or gripping jaws, and which will surround the pipe with sufficient clearance when in released position to permit free movement of the grapple along the pipe, or free rotation of the pipe within the grapple without imparting similar rotation to the grapple.

The invention further contemplates the use of rounded edges throughout, so that no possible injury can result to the pipe.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the grapple and pipe as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the pipe being shown in section;

Fig, 4 is a top plan of the grapple and pipe with the grapple in released position to show the clearance between the grapple and pipe; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through one of the arms of the grapple.

Generally speaking, the invention comprises a clevis having a freely rotatable pin bridging its arms, with the hoist connection being located at one side of the clevis so that a lifting force produces a tilt of the grapple which is the resultant of tilting about transverse and longitudinal axes of the clevis, thus creating a three point contact with the object to be held, whereby the gripping can be accomplished without sharp biting edges.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the grapple, indicated at I, consists of a principal member of U-formation having a curved portion 2 to encircle the member to be lifted, and arms 3 and 4 extending from opposite ends of the curved por- V tion.

Although not necessary to the proper functioning of the device, but merely for purposes of convenience and economy, arm 4 is shown as longer than arm 3. Arm 3 is provided with an opening 5, and arm 4 with a similar opening 5,

through which a round pin 1 may be inserted to form the bridging member for the clevis. The openings in the arms are positioned equal distances from the curved portion of the principal member, and at such distances therefrom that when the pin 1 is in position the device may freely slip over the pipe to be lifted. Pin 1 is freely rotatable in the openings 5 and 6, and may be held against slipping out of position by means of a pivoted latch 8 which will engage a peripheral groove 9 in the pin to prevent longitudinal movement of the pin. It is obvious that the groove 9 may be positioned near either end of the pin. To

prevent loss of the pin, it is attached to the clevis 3 by means of a chain In. The end of the chain connecting to the pin will be provided with a ring to loosely encircle the pin so as not to prevent the free rotation of the pin.

The hoisting cable II is attached to arm 4 beyond the opening which receives the pin. The arm may be provided with a ring, clevis, or other device i2 with which the hoist line hook may engage. At a point near the hoist cable connecting arm 4 has connected to it a release line 13.

It is to be borne in mind that although the present invention will perform efliciently with sharp edges being provided on the curved portion and arms of the principal memb'erf'itisintended to prevent marring the pipe, and the tJ- shaped member will have all of its edgesebunaewas shown at M in Fig. 5. V

In use, the device is slipped over apipe or other cylindrical member to be lifted, witlf'arms 3 and 4 on opposite sides of the pipe and the curved portion 2 of the clevis"and*the'-'pin 1 also on opposite sides'of'the pipe. If connecting at any other point than n'ear'the top of thepipe, pin 1 is'removed, the clevis positioned aroundthe pipe, pin 1 placed through the openings in the arms 3 and 4 and latch 8 fastenedto'hold the pin in place. I

When a liftingfoice is' applied'by means of the hoist, the grapple is tilted'intoenga'gement with the pipe. By reason of the offset connection of the hoist line with the 'g'rapple, the'grapple will 3 the curved'por'tion 2will be'press'edfagainst the pipe, as shown at I1. The center of pin 1 will also bind against the pipe. v TheL-efie'ctiveness of the gripping is brought about by the tilting about the transverse a dspausing thefpin to actto'press the pipe further into'thewe'dge formed by the surfaces containing "contact points I 6 and I1, and the tilting about the longitudinahaxis causing the points I 6 and l'lto approach one another. It is to be notedalso, that the threepoints are not only spaced aroundfthe 'periphery of the pipe but they are also spacedlongitudinallyfof the pipe. In other words; contact is made with the bottom edge of 'theclevis atone point the top edge of'the clevis atanotherfand the pin is positioned intermediatethetop andf bottom edges.

To release the pipejrelease cord |3"is pulled. This will cause the grapple-to" assumea horizontal position. Due to the fact-,as'mentionedabove, that the present grapple will operateandtight- 1y hold even though it is suffieiently larger than the pipe to be freely movable thereon, the grapple may be quickly adjusted to 'a'new'position when cord I 3 isheld. By holding 'cord' l3,one section of pipe may be unscrewed from another,

and the turning motion of the pipe will not cause the grapple to rotate.

It will be understood that the present invention will be used with a fixed gripping member secured at the ground level as is common practice, to hold the pipe while the grapple illustrated is moved on the pipe. The fixed gripping member may, of course, embody the same gripping principle asthe one illustrated.

fwhii jm fthe'iabov'e jtneief'nas disclosed one practical embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that changes may be made from the precise structure shown without departing from the inventive concept as defined by the appended claims.

' Whatis claimed is: *--1.-'In'a'grapple; a U-shaped member to loosely surround a cylindrical object to be gripped, a. bridge member extending between the legs of the U-shaped member and at right angles to said i gs, andme'ans' carried by one of'the'legs" of the -"U Sha'ped" member 'to which afpulling'cable may be connected, said cable connection being to zone side" of the longitudinal center line "of the U'- -shaped"member, wherebyforce exerted' by the cable' will' cause the grapple to nc abut both its "longitudinal? and transverse axes.

agrappleas' claimedin claim 1,:t'h e edges of sa d U-sh'aped rnember bein'g 'rounded, and

0 said bridge member being'cylindrical.

F3In a grapple as claimed in' claim 1; the edges lQf S a ilIl: U -member being rounded, andsaid bridge 'memberjbeing cylindrical and fre'ely'rotatab'le' in 's'aid u sn peai member. V

4. In' a" grapple, a; U-shapd' member 1 having rounded" edges to loosely surround a cylindrical io'bject to befgripped said member havingopg osiie g qsed de nin ill-leg portions a Pin to "pass through-said; openings andbe rotatable thereinto br'i dgetheleg portions of's'aid U- memjb er, one" o f the leg members "of said U-sha'p'ed bm'emberfha'ving means "to: whichapulling cable "maybe attachedf said means being positioned EI Iear the' end pfptlie leg portion beyond the openfor reeeivi'ngthe brid'ge pin and to one side of "the "longitudinal center line 'of the l J'-'m'emb'er, wherebylf oree exerted by the cane" will cause the "grapby ple to 'til t about both 'itslongitudinal-and transb I 5Qlnf a'grapple as claimed in claim 4,- arelease cord attached to thel'eg' of said U-sliaped member carrying said cable" connecting means beyond the "point of attachment 'of"said*cable connection.

MELVIN B; PHELPS.

References cit-ea in the'file of this patent V UNITED STATES'PATENTS Number Name Date 530 37 Smith Apr. 13, 1897 1,003,874 Casper; s"pt. -'19,-;1911 1,551,214 #P errel -'Aug. 25;'1925 1;5eo,411 Conklin Nov. 3,1925 1,801,448 Neeley; Apr.'21, 1931 

